Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-26

Ia Dleu. ayes, %, Hhys, ~.
House bill No. lf9, creating boards OF
equalization for cities and towns and
prescribing their duties, was considered.
1t provides for three commissioners to be
appointed by the city or town coun-
elk, The bill is to apply only
| To- cities and towns Incorporated under
1.-The general incorporation act. The
mersbers of the board and city secretary
whiK acting as secretary of the board
are 70 receive such compensation as the
CITY council shall allow. An amendment
was adopted as follows: Giving parties
the right to file complaint and prove
values of property by witnesses as to
rents and insurance. The bill was
ordered engrossed.
Petitions, bills, ETC., presented were as
follows:
By MIR. Richardson, from citizens of
Leor county, urging the establishment of
the medical branch of the State Univer-
sity at Galveston.
By Mr.. Chapman, from citizens OF
Johnson county, asking for law to pre-
vent Pinkerton's detectives from doing
police work.
By Mr.. Jarott, bill fixing fine of
from S2OO to $1,000 for betting on cleo
tions.
/. By Mr.. Gresham, amending the charter
OF Galveston city by adding a provision
to levy a tax for making sea walls, and
asking the state for 800 acres of land for
the purpose.
By Mr.. Fuller, allowing attorneys to be
appointed by consent as special judges.
By Mr. Beard of Lamar, memorial of
teachers and officers in favor OF an educa-
tional exhibit at the National Teachers
Association at Chicago.
By Mr.. Prendergast memorial from
Professor William Hatton of Limestone
county on the subject of a geological sur
vey.
By Mr. Dolen, memorial of the Texas
State Geological and Scientific Associa-
ton on the subject of a state geological
survey.
By Speaker Pendleton, q petition from
citizens of Bell county asking for exemp-
ton of manufactures from taxation for
limited period.
The resolution for the adjournment of
the Legislature sine die March Il was
called up and referred to the committee on
state affairs.
The Speaker appointed Messrs John
son, Valley and Smith of Bosque a COM
mittee to wait upon Judge Willis and
serve him with copy of the charges of
the House against him.
Senate bill No. I, fixing a fine of from
500 to $500, and from thirty days to six
months Imprisonment for dealing in flu
lures, passed to third reading.
House bill No. llG, sbolishing cOro-
ncrs' juries, came up on motion to recon-
slider, but pending consideration the hour
for the special order the railway commits
SIGN bill, arrived.
The railway commission bill being in
order, Mr.. Browning, who was too unwell
to speak, yielded the floor.
Mr.. Pope spoke, making an elaborate
argument as to the coastitutionslitY of
the measure. He wanted to regulate
railroads but opposed commission. The
defect in our lew was that it allowed the
railroads too great maximum, 30 cents,
which should be reduced. The bill of
Mr.. Gresham was intended to remedy
this end fix the rates.
Mr.. KIrlickS said that there were some
features in the bill to which he could not
subscribe under his oath. We come here
in en- angry mood, in an unfriendly tone,
with determination to regulate abuses.
We are here fresh from the people, among
whom we have seen poverty and want,
industries languishing, crops falling, hsC
gard faces, strikes, conflicts with law and
order, hope deferred, injustice ut the HANDS
the wealthy corporations and wrongs in
violation of law, but the question Is,
"Are we not going too far?" He read
an eloquent extract from book on
French history, showing the dangers and
confusion resulting from oppression.
The previous question being ordered.
an amendment was adopted to section IL
of the biz of the committee, that among
other things the reports required
to be made shall show tho
freight rates and the gross ana
net earnings of each road and also the &C
tual cost of construction and repairs, set
ting forth the per cent. of profit on the
capital invested. The Secretary of State
is to have the reports printed and sent
to members of the Legislature as soon as
soon as possible after he receives the
election returns.
The House then adjourned till > o'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The railwao commission bill was re-
sumed, and amendments were adopted as
follows:
In section I, that no railroad company
snail De allowed 10 charge more than 10
cents per 100 pounds per 100 miles over
any railroad in this state.
In section $, that in no case shall chill
dren under ten years of age be charged
over II cents per mile.
In section ., that the commissioners
shall give 100000 bond each, and that
unless 8 majority of the Senate shall de-
clare that commissioner was wrongfullY
removed mis- term of office shall expire
from the date of said removal.
In section IL, that the commissioners
shall make Just and reasonable rules and
regulations 70 compel each railroad TO
receive and transport each the others
passengers, tonnage and cars loaded OF
emptied without delay or discrimination.
In section II, that if any railroad COM
pany shall violate any of the provisions OF
This act, or shall fail to submit to said
commission upon its demand, for its in
spection, ell books required by law to be
kept within the state in which are kept
the records for general business If sEch
corporations, including the books of tue
general freight agent, treasurer and ardi-
tor, and the general passenger agent OF
such corporation, or shall charge Il higher
rate of freight than the maximum rate
d..